Putnam has hired Lewis and Clark College defensive coordinator Tim Jacobs as football coach.

It is the first head coaching job for Jacobs, who has spent the past six seasons coaching the Pioneers. Prior to that, he assisted for four seasons at North Medford, where he was the defensive coordinator.

“We are excited to have Coach Jacobs at Putnam,” incoming athletic director Jesse Eveland said. “I believe he has the experience, energy and ability to help build on what has already been established with Putnam High School football as well as Putnam Youth Football.”

Jacobs plans on installing the wing-T offense, which his father, Dave, ran as the head coach at Klamath Union (1988-90). Jacobs said he will call the plays.

Tim Jacobs (Courtesy photo)

“Having recruited all over the West Coast and seeing the number of successful programs, a lot of them are wing-T teams,” Jacobs said. “What I like about it is the multiplicity. You’re not relying on certain types of players year in and year out. You can adapt it to the kids you have.

“It’s an offense that not only is an equalizer for smaller schools, but they can beat bigger teams. It’s also an offense that can be installed from the lowest level of your youth program all the way up to the varsity. You’re really having a true program offense.”

The Kingsmen have won three playoffs games in their 50-year history, the last time in 1986, when they reached the big-school quarterfinals. But Jacobs, 36, said he sees potential in the program.

“Great community. A lot of support,” Jacobs said. “And the administration, both Kathleen Walsh the principal and Jesse Eveland the athletic director, talking with them, I really liked their vision of the school academically and what they want athletically.”

Jacobs was a first-team all-conference defensive end at Crater. He played in college at Portland State and Linfield, where he was an all-Northwest Conference defensive end and served as a graduate assistant in 2001. He also has assisted at Crater and Phoenix.

Eveland, the Milwaukie athletic director who is replacing the outgoing Dan Barendse, said Jacobs is ready for his first head-coaching job.

“Coach Jacobs has spent his life as a student of the game of football and has prepared himself for this role,” Eveland said. “I expect Coach Jacobs to establish himself in the Putnam community and be a successful football coach for many years.”

Jacobs said his father will join him on the staff. Dave Jacobs, the defensive line coach at Lewis and Clark in 2009 and 2010, spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator at Phoenix.

Tim Jacobs and his wife, Kara, have two children, Jace, 6, and Kaia, 4.